Costich, Kenneth, II, CPT

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
The "draft" of course. When I saw all of my friends being drafted out of school or right after graduation I went down and conned my way into the Army ROTC program as a college junior. The courses I took, especially military history peaked my interest in the military and by the time I was commissioned I wanted to serve.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I was originally commissioned in MI but wanted a Combat Arms Branch. I went on active duty as a Signal Corps Officer and was eventually branch assigned to Armor with a 1204 MOS. I spent some time commanding 2 different troops (HHT & C Troop) of the 2/9 CAV, 24th ID in Germany which included several tours patrolling the Czech border. I then went to the Armor Officer's Career Course at Ft Knox. In Vietnam I served with the Quarterhorse CAV, 1st ID and the was lucky enough to be assigned to command the greatest Infantry Company that ever existed, Bandido Charlie (Co C, 1st BN, 16 INF), 1st ID. It had then and still has now a legendary legacy that started when it was Co C, 5th BN, 60 INF, 9th ID and was moved up to Lai Khe (BRO Base Camp) in a transfer of units. Co C, 1/16 IN has been on continuous active duty since 1861 and is serving bravely in Fallujah, Al Asad and now the poppy fields of Afghanistan.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
Yes, working with DiAn District and PRUs, Phoenix Program, Song Be Road Operation, FSB Mons, FSB Rita, Victory Gardens.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Being Bandido Charlie 6 and commanding and Infantry Company in combat, especially as an Armor Officer.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
The CIB, Combat Infantryman's Badge. To me it is the most prestigious award the Army has because it is not an award for a "moment" in time, it is a badge of honor for facing the enemy day after day, both hunting and being hunted. You have to earn it over a period time of sustained combat. 2 Bronze Star Medals with "V" for idiocy. I consider medals for valor just being the luck of the draw because in combat, heroism is the rule, not the exception. So many acts of bravery go both unnoticed or unsung!

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
AGAIN the CIB, Combat Infantryman's Badge. To me it is the most prestigious award the Army has because it is not an award for a "moment" in time, it is a badge of honor for facing the enemy day after day, both hunting and being hunted. You have to earn it over a period time of sustained combat.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
There are several. I will mention names, but not reasons as it would take to long: CPT John Mizell (Asst PMS - KU), COL George S Patton IV (when he commanded the 11ACR), 1SG Al Herrera, SGT Ron Mackedanz, CPT Phil Greenwell, 1LT David D'Olivo, 2LT Knudsen (FO), PSG Smith (1st Plt - Bandido Charlie), CPT "Woody" Goldberg, CPT Clyde "Lou" Hennes, MAJ Steve Arnold.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Yes, several and if I couldn't I would shoot myself!

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
Initially started several successful entrepreneurial enterprises and then got involved in the "tech" world in sales and management.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
They are all listed in my profile. The 3 most important are: #1 - The Bandido Charlie Association as I can have a direct effect on Veterans I am "connected" to and to those with whom I served and with today's active duty soldiers in the unit; #2 - I am a Distinguished Member of the 16th Infantry Regiment (DMOR). I guess it tells me that I have the respect of the men with whom I served and those who went before me; #3 - DAV (Disabled American Veterans) because it allows me to help Veterans of all eras to process claims through the adversarial game playing of the VA.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
In so many way it is hard to enumerate, but the most important things I learned were:
1 - Self-discipline
2 - Taking responsibility
3 - Accepting accountability for those things for which I was responsible.

Bottom line: Doing away with the draft was the worst thing that ever happened to our country. It has helped to destroy our moral fabric. I truly believe that EVERYONE should serve in the Military immediately after high school as long as they are not TRULY physically and/or mentally unable to perform, even in a non-combat MOS. There is an anonymous quote that I love as it is so apropos, especially to those who serve today: "WE ARE THE MEN WE ARE, NOT BECAUSE WE ARE SOLDIERS, BUT RATHER WE ARE SOLDIERS BECAUSE OF THE MEN WE ARE!"

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
I have no advice. They are the best trained, best equipped, best led (except for our politicians) and most professional soldiers I have ever seen. I can only say: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! As to their leaders, especially at Company grade, never order a man to do something you would not do yourself!

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I stay in constant contact with many of the men with whom I served. They are a constant inspiration to me and helped me on my road to coping with PTSD and filing VA claims.

DB 12/28/2016